Ashok Leyland eyes top-10 global truck makers list

Hinduja group flagship company Ashok Leyland today said it is adopting a three-pronged strategy to break into the lists of top-10 global truck manufacturers and top five bus makers in the next 5-10 years.

"Ashok Leyland is currently in global top-20 ranks in truck manufacturing and top 10 in bus manufacturing. We have a vision of making it to top five bus manufacturer and top-10 truck manufacturer in the next 5-10 years," newly-appointed company Managing Director Vinod K Dasari told reporters today.

Dasari took over as MD from R Seshasayee on April 1, who has been elevated as Executive Vice-Chairman of Ashok Leyland.

He said the company would work on three strategies -- focusing on delivering quality products, developing and managing people, and leveraging the value of products by adopting new branding exercise.

"The pride and dedication from the employees of Ashok Leyland, I always value that," he said, adding, his focus would be on developing the company by adopting "earthquake-proof, skyscraper" strategies.

Talking about future plans, he said the company had set a target of selling around 1.10 lakh to 1.20 lakh units during this financial year (2011-12).

"Till March 31, we have sold 94,100 units with exports contributing over 10,000. We aim to sell around 1,10,000 units to 1,20,000 units in this financial year," he said.

He said the company had ramped up the capacity of its Pant Nagar facility to produce 30,000-40,000 vehicles from next year from the present 2,600 units.